KYB Corporation and ARAV Inc. Launch Collaboration for Construction Machinery Automation and Remote Operation Solutions Utilizing Hydraulic Control Technology
Key facts
- KYB Corporation and ARAV Inc. Launch Collaboration for Construction Machinery Automation and Remote Operation Solutions Utilizing Hydraulic Control Technology
- KYB Corporation, a hydraulic equipment manufacturer, and ARAV Inc., a provider of remote operation and autonomous driving solutions for construction machinery, have initiated a collaboration to jointly develop and deploy retrofit services. These services will enable existing construction machinery to be retrofitted with electronic control devices, allowing for remote operation and autonomous driving. In response to the severe labor shortage in the construction industry, the two companies will combine KYB's hydraulic control technology with ARAV's autonomous driving technology to offer a one-stop solution, contributing to labor saving and improved safety at construction sites.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 10, 2026
Direct answer
KYB Corporation, a hydraulic equipment manufacturer, and ARAV Inc., a provider of remote operation and autonomous driving solutions for construction machinery, have initiated a collaboration to jointly develop and deploy retrofit services. These services will enable existing construction machinery to be retrofitted with electronic control devices, allowing for remote operation and autonomous driving. In response to the severe labor shortage in the construction industry, the two companies will combine KYB's hydraulic control technology with ARAV's autonomous driving technology to offer a one-stop solution, contributing to labor saving and improved safety at construction sites.
- Citation
- KYB Corporation and ARAV Inc. Launch Collaboration for Construction Machinery Automation and Remote Operation Solutions Utilizing Hydraulic Control Technology (June 10, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 10, 2026
KYB Corporation, a hydraulic equipment manufacturer, and ARAV Inc., a provider of remote operation and autonomous driving solutions for construction machinery, have initiated a collaboration to jointly develop and deploy retrofit services. These services will enable existing construction machinery to be retrofitted with electronic control devices, allowing for remote operation and autonomous driving. In response to the severe labor shortage in the construction industry, the two companies will combine KYB's hydraulic control technology with ARAV's autonomous driving technology to offer a one-stop solution, contributing to labor saving and improved safety at construction sites.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 10:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 10:33 (33 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:34 (54h 1m after Collected)
KYB Corporation (Headquarters: World Trade Center Building South Tower 28F, 2-4-1 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Masahiro Kawase, hereinafter "KYB"), a comprehensive manufacturer of hydraulic equipment, and ARAV Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Itsuki Shirahisa Reyes, hereinafter "ARAV"), which develops and provides remote operation and autonomous driving solutions for construction machinery, have launched a collaboration to jointly develop and deploy retrofit services that enable existing construction machinery to be retrofitted with electronic control devices for remote operation and autonomous driving.
■ Background of Collaboration
The construction industry continues to face a severe labor shortage due to the aging of skilled workers and the decrease in young entrants, leading to high expectations for remote operation and autonomous driving of construction machinery. On the other hand, many construction machines operating in Japan are controlled using conventional hydraulic pilot systems. To enable remote operation and autonomous driving, it is essential to digitize hydraulic control (drive-by-wire). While this digitization of hydraulics is a fundamental technology indispensable for realizing construction machinery automation, services that can accommodate various construction machinery manufacturers have been limited.
ARAV has accumulated operational experience at multiple construction sites with its retrofit approach, which enables automation and remote operation by adding devices to existing construction machinery, including its autonomous driving solution for hydraulic excavators, "Yoisho Tounyakun."
Meanwhile, KYB possesses extensive technological expertise in hydraulic equipment, including hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic pumps, and hydraulic control valves, and has a track record of supplying hydraulic components to various construction machinery manufacturers.
Photo 1: Solenoid proportional pressure reducing valve
■ Overview of Collaboration
Through this collaboration, KYB and ARAV will jointly develop and deploy retrofit services that enable existing construction machinery to support remote operation and autonomous driving by combining KYB's developed "electronic control devices" with ARAV's remote operation and autonomous driving technology for construction machinery.
KYB will be responsible for the hardware that digitizes hydraulic control, while ARAV will handle the control system for remote operation and autonomous driving. This will enable the provision of a one-stop retrofit service to convert conventional hydraulic pilot-operated construction machinery to support remote operation and autonomous driving.
■ Future Development
KYB and ARAV will initially launch this retrofit service for hydraulic excavators and will sequentially expand the range of compatible models. In the future, they plan to expand into other categories such as wheel loaders and further enhance control performance, thereby contributing to labor saving and improved safety at construction sites.
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■ Company Information: ARAV Inc. (Pronunciation: Arav)
Location: Higashidaimae HIRAKU GATE 9F, 2-3-10 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Established: April 1, 2020
Representative: Itsuki Shirahisa Reyes, Representative Director
Business Activities: Development and provision of remote operation and autonomous driving solutions for construction machinery
Official Website: https://arav.jp/
■ Company Information: KYB Corporation
* KYB's company information will be provided by KYB at the time of joint announcement.
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■ Inquiries
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact ARAV Inc. via their official website.
https://arav.jp/contact/
■ Background of Collaboration
The construction industry continues to face a severe labor shortage due to the aging of skilled workers and the decrease in young entrants, leading to high expectations for remote operation and autonomous driving of construction machinery. On the other hand, many construction machines operating in Japan are controlled using conventional hydraulic pilot systems. To enable remote operation and autonomous driving, it is essential to digitize hydraulic control (drive-by-wire). While this digitization of hydraulics is a fundamental technology indispensable for realizing construction machinery automation, services that can accommodate various construction machinery manufacturers have been limited.
ARAV has accumulated operational experience at multiple construction sites with its retrofit approach, which enables automation and remote operation by adding devices to existing construction machinery, including its autonomous driving solution for hydraulic excavators, "Yoisho Tounyakun."
Meanwhile, KYB possesses extensive technological expertise in hydraulic equipment, including hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic pumps, and hydraulic control valves, and has a track record of supplying hydraulic components to various construction machinery manufacturers.
Photo 1: Solenoid proportional pressure reducing valve
■ Overview of Collaboration
Through this collaboration, KYB and ARAV will jointly develop and deploy retrofit services that enable existing construction machinery to support remote operation and autonomous driving by combining KYB's developed "electronic control devices" with ARAV's remote operation and autonomous driving technology for construction machinery.
KYB will be responsible for the hardware that digitizes hydraulic control, while ARAV will handle the control system for remote operation and autonomous driving. This will enable the provision of a one-stop retrofit service to convert conventional hydraulic pilot-operated construction machinery to support remote operation and autonomous driving.
■ Future Development
KYB and ARAV will initially launch this retrofit service for hydraulic excavators and will sequentially expand the range of compatible models. In the future, they plan to expand into other categories such as wheel loaders and further enhance control performance, thereby contributing to labor saving and improved safety at construction sites.
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■ Company Information: ARAV Inc. (Pronunciation: Arav)
Location: Higashidaimae HIRAKU GATE 9F, 2-3-10 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Established: April 1, 2020
Representative: Itsuki Shirahisa Reyes, Representative Director
Business Activities: Development and provision of remote operation and autonomous driving solutions for construction machinery
Official Website: https://arav.jp/
■ Company Information: KYB Corporation
* KYB's company information will be provided by KYB at the time of joint announcement.
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■ Inquiries
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact ARAV Inc. via their official website.
https://arav.jp/contact/
FAQ
What is the "retrofit service" offered through this collaboration?
It is a service that allows existing construction machinery to be retrofitted with electronic control devices, enabling remote operation and autonomous driving without the need to purchase expensive new machinery.
How severe is the labor shortage in the construction industry?
The industry faces a severe labor shortage due to the aging of skilled workers and the decrease in young entrants, leading to high expectations for the automation and remote operation of construction machinery.
What are the technological strengths of KYB and ARAV?
KYB has extensive accumulated technology in the hydraulic equipment field, and ARAV has a track record in developing remote operation and autonomous driving solutions for construction machinery.
What types of construction machinery will be supported in the future?
Initially targeting hydraulic excavators, there are plans to expand support to other categories such as wheel loaders in the future.
How will this technology improve safety at construction sites?
Remote operation and autonomous driving enable work in hazardous areas and reduce operator burden, thereby lowering the risk of accidents.